Optometrist Salary

Davie vs Tampa: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Davie, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davie, FL
$162,997
$78.36/hr
Tampa, FL
$142,219
$68.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavie, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$162,997$142,219
Hourly Rate$78.36$68.38
Entry Level (P10)$94,538$86,136
25th Percentile$132,870$127,588
75th Percentile$201,964$169,081
Top Earner (P90)$249,201$213,076
Total Employed18350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davie ($162,997) and Tampa ($142,219) optometrist salaries.DavieTampaMedian Salary$162,997$142,219Entry Level (P10)$94,538$86,136Top Earner (P90)$249,201$213,076US Median $140,612

Verdict

Davie, FL offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tampa.

The salary gap between Davie and Tampa is $20,778 (14.61%). Davie's median is +15.92% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davie spans $154,663,Tampa spans $126,940. Davie has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davie
P10 (Entry)$94,538
P25$132,870
Median$162,997
P75$201,964
P90 (Top)$249,201
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$86,136
P25$127,588
Median$142,219
P75$169,081
P90 (Top)$213,076

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davie ($161,703 effective) pays 14.71% more than Tampa ($140,964 effective).

Davie
Nominal: $162,997
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $161,703
Tampa
Nominal: $142,219
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $140,964

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davie if…

  • Higher median salary ($162,997/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($249,201)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,703)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Davie grew 19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 52.2% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Davie, FL

+19.9%

$132,017 (2024) → $158,311 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+52.2%

$90,770 (2019) → $138,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Davie or Tampa?

Davie has a higher median optometrist salary at $162,997/year, compared to Tampa at $142,219/year — a difference of $20,778 (14.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davie and Tampa?

Davie optometrists earn $78.36/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $68.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davie to Tampa as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davie and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davie = $161,703, Tampa = $140,964), job availability (18 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Davie vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $94,538 in Davie and $86,136 in Tampa. The Davie area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, OD

Career Analyst

Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov